Wednesday, September 15, 2010

GREEN FLASH BREWING COMPANY IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE

When I lived in San Diego in the mid-'90s, one of my favorite late afternoon hangouts was a restaurant in Pacific Beach called Armando's The Green Flash. What I liked best about the place was sitting at the bar near sunset with ceviche and an I.P.A. Looking right out over the Pacific Ocean I tried over and over to see the elusive green flash - the flash of green light that occurs at the exact spot and the exact time the sun sets into the water. I think I saw it, but maybe I just let myself believe I did. Either way, the ceviche was outstanding and so was the I.P.A.

Green Flash Brewing Company is not affiliated with the restaurant. I don't know if they take their name from the atmospheric phenomenon or from a superhero, and it doesn't matter to me. They brew some truly great beer in Vista, CA, just a little bit up the coast from San Diego.

The Green Flash Imperial India Pale Ale is a rocking good beer. Deep amber in color, it looks great in the glass. The nose is extremely hoppy, bursting with floral notes and showing a twist of citrus. The taste is also full of flowers with a broad lemon streak and a slight hint of almond. This I.P.A. has a wonderfully creamy texture in the mouth - very full and opulent. It's definitely a "desert island" beer, and there are few brews I enjoy as much on a warm afternoon while awaiting the green flash.